THE League of Islamic Council of Southern Thailand issued a statement opposing the Cannabis and Hemp Act, the Liquor Bill and the Marriage Equality Bill.
Representatives of the Islamic councils in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun met in Pattani on Thursday to discuss the three laws.
The council said practising Muslims cannot follow these laws as they go against Islamic principles.Waedueramae Mamingji, the council’s chairman, said the matter has been widely discussed on social media and may cause some misunderstanding among Muslims, hence the council needs to clarify points.
“Our organisation is the pillar for citizens. We must reveal our standpoint to society clearly.
“According to the Sheikhul Islam Office’s Fatwa, we will not support these laws because they are forbidden in Islam,” Waedueramae said.
The new acts legalise the use and cultivation of cannabis and hemp, liberalisation of the liquor industry and same-sex marriage.
Anantachai Thaiprathan, a medical academic who is also a practising Muslim, said cannabis is being allowed to use for medical purposes, but it cannot actually treat any diseases.
He also pointed out that only two states in the US allow the use of cannabis for recreation, while the World Health Organisation views it as dangerous, and specifies that it must only be used for medical purposes and research. — The Nation/ANN
